starter

[Gene C]

Hi guys,

I have a 1952 TO-30. I last used it 8-9 weeks ago. I tried to start it yesterday to get it put away for winter, but there is no juice to the starter. I charged the battery, 6.38 volts showing, and I cleaned all the cable connections. There isn't even a click when I hit the starter. Any advice on what to check or do? Thanks. Gene

 

[Jerry/MT]

Do you have the OEM starter switch that is actuated by the transmission lever? Do you have a voltmeter? Make sure that you have voltage to the battery side of the switch (it sits on the bellhousing underneath the battery). Then see if when you push the transmission lever forward if you have battery voltage on the starter side of the switch. If you do, the problem could be the ground or the starter it self Check the battery ground where it attaches to the back of the dash. Make sure that there is a good connection. If there is, try to start the tractor by bypassing the start switch.You can do this by getting a set of jumpers, and MAKING SURE THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF GEAR SO YOU DON"T GET RUN OVER, connect one jumper cable to the non-grounded battery connection. Now touch the other end of that cable to the lug on the starter. If the starter and the ground are good, the starter should turn. If it doesn"t, then hook the other jumper cable to the battery ground connected terminal and clamp the other end on a the starter bolt at the bell housing. Then touch the "hot lead" to the starter lug momentarily and see if the starter turns. If it does you ground is bad. If it doesn"t the starter is bad. If the starter and the ground are good then you need to try to adjutst the starter switch by loosening the bolts and sliding it backwards or forwards to sevral positions and see if it will start. If you can"t adjust it out, replace the switch (~$10 +shpg).

 

[Gene C]

Thanks Jerry. I'll give it a try next weekend when my son is here to add a couple of hands to the task. If it doesn't start he can help me push it into the garage.

 

[Gene C]

Jerry,

Got the TO-30 going today. It was the starter switch. Thanks again for you help.

Gene